Pounding toy



Dec. 18, 1956 A. M. ZALKIND 2,774,179

POUNDING TOY Filed Nov. 25, 1953 F'lG. 3.

INVEN TOR.

United States Patent POUNDING TOY Albert M. Zalkind, Arlington, Va.

Application November 25, 1953, Serial No. 394,285

Claims. (Cl. 461) This invention relates to toys and more particularly to a pounding toy.

It is an object of the invention to provide a pounding toy having a novel and simple automatic action for returning the pegs so that a successive time delay is introduced. This poses a problem for a child who endeavors to strike the pegs in succession so that all of them are in downward position at the same time, or as many as he can manage to have down at the same time.

Thus, the effect of the ordinary pounding board as an educational toy to develop coordination and hand and eye control is considerably improved by my invention to the extent that the child is given an incentive to race against the mechanism and to emerge the winner. Such an incentive makes a fascinating game for a small child and substantially lengthens the time in which he can practice pounding Without becoming bored. Further, a child is more or less faced with a competitive element, which he can overcome, a very beneficial aspect. Likewise, his reflexes receive training not possible with the ordinary pounding board.

Other objects will be apparent from the general description hereinafter.

Briefly, my invention comprises a plurality of striking elements such as are equivalent to the usual pegs, except that I utilize a biasing means to maintain such elements in the initial upper position prior to being struck. A detent element, for example, a rubber suction cup, is carried by each element. The suction cups engage and grip a smooth surface in a well known manner by being forced thereagainst when the striking element receives an impact blow. Thereafter, the biasing means exerts a force on the striking element, ultimately causing it to snap back to the initial position. Accordingly, as each striking element is hit with a mallet and forced to downward position, the child turns his attention to the next successive element, striking it into temporary downward position. The play then progresses until all the pegs are down, all accomplished in an interval of time determined by the holding effect of the first peg.

A detailed description of my invention will now be given in conjunction with the appended drawing, in which:

Figure l is a front elevation of one form;

Figure 2 is a fragment of a modification shown in partial section;

Figure 3 is an elevation partially in section of an element of yet another modification.

In Figure 1, the toy comprises a frame having support plate 10, side walls 14, and floor member 18, these elements being nailed together to form the box-like configuration shown.

A plurality of pounding elements A, B, C, D, in this instance, are provided, each comprising a rod 20 passing freely slidable through a respective bore 24 in plate 10. Each rod has a rubber suction cup 28 secured at its lower end in any suitable conventional manner and carries a 2,774,179 Patented Dec. 18, 1956 2' striking button 30 at its upper end, which button is intended to be struck by a childs mallet. A spring 34 surrounds each rod and extends between the plate and the respective button to maintain the rod resiliently in the upper initial position. Preferably a jingle bell 35 is suitably secured to each rod.

It will be understood that the upper surface of element 18 is sutnciently smooth so that when a suction cup is forced against it by virtue of a blow on respective button 30, rod 20 will be held in downward position by vacuum action. Respective spring 34 is compressed at this time, exerting a force tending to return the rod. After a predetermined period the suction cup loses its grip and the rod snaps back into place.

The principle of operation of a single unit is throught to be Well understood in view of various popup toys heretofore marketed. However, the adaptation of such a unit on a pounding toy, where a plurality of units are provided, brings about a coaction which effects a substantial spirit of competition, i. e., the child versus the machine, in a manner of speaking.

I have found from actual tests that a device substantially as shown in Figure 1 affords considerable fun and fascination for small children. They express a deep sense of satisfaction. when they succeed in getting all successive elements in downward position before the first element snaps up.

I believe the principle of my combination is novel and describe hereinbelow other modes of construction.

For example, in Figure 2, a small blob of tar or other suitable viscous substance, as heretofore used in jumping frog toys is used as a detent means. Thus the blob 40 is set in a cavity in a base plate 42. A freely slidable pounding peg 44 is alined with the blob so that when it is struck the lower end engages the blob and is held there for a certain length of time against a biasing means, such as a rubber strand 46, which passes through a bore 48 in the peg. The ends of strand 46 may be suitably fastened to a support plate 50, as shown.

While in the forms hereinabove described I have stated that the pegs are freely slidable in the support plates, it will be understood that a degree of friction can be provided if desired. The upward biasing force would, of course, necessarily be increased in force to overcome whatever degree of friction is provided so as to fully return the pegs.

In Figure 3 is illustrated an element having an enlarged butt 60 integrally molded of resilient material with a suction cup 64 surrounded by a corrugated boot 68 which is secured in a circular groove 70 in a base 72. The entire structure comprising the butt 69, cup 64, and boot 68 is integrally molded of resilient rubber or plastic, boot 68 being an upward biasing means for suction cup 64. It is contemplated that boot 68 will be provided with a head 76 frictionally fitting groove 70. Base 72 is, of course, smooth surfaced so that the cup will adhere to it. When butt 60 is struck, boot 68 is compressed to permit compressive engagement of the cup with the base.

If required, vent bores such as 80 may be provided to permit air escape and intake.

It is contemplated that plate 72 will be provided with a plurality of grooves 70 into which respective boots may be easily fitted.

The embodiments disclosed hereinabove are merely illustrative and persons skilled in the art will readily perceive that many variations are possible. For example, sponge rubber collars may be substituted for the springs in Figure 1. Many materials such as wood, plastic, metal and hard board may be used for construction of the invention. Accordingly, I do not seek to be limited to theprecise illustration except as set form in the appended l i r 72.2 t H ti ,7 H e "A e r I claim: a

l. A childs pounding device comprising a plurality of .reciprocable vertically disposed rod means, ispaeed within arms-reach, plate 'means' having' bores' through'swhich individual rodmeans are'slidably movable, alresi'lient element surrounding each'rodmeansand having an end engageable'therewith' to maintain respectiverodrneans in initial raised position, a suction cup :aflixed' onTthe lower end' of 'each' rod' means, a second plate means comprising a smooth upper'surface belo'w's'aid first plate means engageableiby themo'uths'of said-:suction'cups forpneumatic adhesion thereof upon depression of said rod means, each resilientelementhaving an upward'bias ing force suflicient -to overcome itsarespective suction cup adhesion after-a predetermined-interval.

2. A pounding-toy for-ayoung child, comprisinga support, a plurality'of pounding elements spaced within armsreach to be individually struck by annallet and being mounted on said support for movement with respect thereto upon being struck, means 'for each element biasing it to an upper position, said elements being adapted tobe individually pounded to a lower position in rapid succession, temporary restraining means operatively disposed in association with each element and co-acting with's'aid support to temporarily'restrain the element when said element is'p'ounded vto a lower position against the force of said biasing means, said biasing means serving to overcome the restraining effect of said temporary restraining means to return said'elernenf't'e said upper position.

3. A toy as set forth in claim 2, said pounding elements comprising rods, said support comprising a pair of parallel plate-like members, one of said members comprising a base for said toy and the other of said members having apertures imwhiqh said rods are slidably" disposed. t

4. A toy :as set for'th in' claiin"2 said temporary restraining means comprising an" adherent device.

5. A toy' as set forth in claim 2, each pounding element and said temporary" restraining 'means operatively associated therewith being integrally molded of rubberlike resilient material, and comprising :a body of such material formed into a suction cup at its lower end and i a striking button at its upper end.

, References Cited i h file thigpatjent E M TATES PATENTS" 

